After his stint at Coventry he also played for Aston Villa, Wolves, Wycombe and Chester before ending his playing career in 1996.

He worked as an agent for the Stellar Group after his retirement from the game, and the agency's chief executive Jonathan Barnett released a statement to Press Association Sport on Monday.

"Cyrille was a wonderful person to work with and his death has left everyone in the company and the players he represented with a great sense of sadness," Barnett said.

"Our deepest condolences go out to Julia and all of Cyrille's family and close friends. "Cyrille was a pioneer in British football and hugely respected by everyone in the game. He was a role model to his young clients and a genuinely lovely man."

The statement from Stellar also praised Regis for his "passion, determination and integrity, especially in the way he would champion the careers of up and coming players."

Cyrille Regis spent seven seasons as a player at West Bromwich Albion.

Broadcaster and West Brom fan Adrian Chiles told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he had been due to meet Regis and former team-mate Batson on Tuesday.

Praising the role played by Regis in dealing with racism, he said: "In later years I was privileged to get to know him as a friend and he just didn't carry anger with him from that time.

"Ian Wright, a later generation of black players, said 'we were like Malcolm X ... but Cyrille was like Martin Luther King', Cyrille was always turning the other cheek.

"They did so much for the game and so much for the cause of black footballers.

"I was supposed to meet him and Brendon tomorrow to discuss a celebration we were having for the 40th anniversary of Laurie Cunningham making his debut for us, celebrating 40 years of all that's been achieved by black footballers in the game.

"So I suppose that meeting will now turn into something of a wake. We are all absolutely horrified and want to do all we can to pay tribute to the greatest of footballers and the greatest of men."

Former Crystal Palace forward Mark Bright tweeted: "He was more than just a footballer, he blazed a trail for every black player who followed him, an inspiration to myself and many players of my era. A humble man and a great man."

Former England striker and current Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker wrote on Twitter: "Saddened to hear that Cyrille Regis has passed away. A tremendous striker and fine man whose legacy goes beyond the game, helping to pave a way for black footballers in this country. #RIPCyrille."

Former England centre back Rio Ferdinand also paid tribute to Regis. He tweeted: "A great man. Helped set the foundation for others. Always remembered."

Information from Press Association Sport was used in this report

Follow @ESPNFC on Twitter to keep up with the latest football updates.